Functional characterization of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin J, a novel superantigen.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a highly lethal, acute-onset illness that is a subset of invasive streptococcal disease. The majority of clinical STSS cases have been associated with the pyrogenic toxin superantigens (PTSAgs) streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A or C (SPE A or C), although cases have been reported that are not associated with either of these exotoxins. Recent genome sequencing projects have revealed a number of open reading frames that potentially encode proteins with similarity to SPEs A and C and to other PTSAgs. Here, we describe the cloning, expression, purification, and functional characterization of a novel exotoxin termed streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin J (SPE J). Purified recombinant SPE J (rSPE J) expressed from Escherichia coli stimulated the expansion of both rabbit splenocytes and human peripheral blood lymphocytes, preferentially expanded human T cells displaying Vbeta2, -3, -12, -14, and -17 on their T-cell receptors, and was active at concentrations as low as 5 x 10(-6) microg/ml. Furthermore, rSPE J induced fevers in rabbits and was lethal in two models of STSS. Biochemically, SPE J had a predicted molecular weight of 24,444 and an isoelectric point of 7.7 and lacked the ability to form the cystine loop structure characteristic of many PTSAgs. SPE J shared 19.6, 47.1, 38.8, 18.1, 19.6, and 24.4% identity with SPEs A, C, G, and H, streptococcal superantigen, and streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z-2, respectively, and was immunologically cross-reactive with SPE C. The characterization of a seventh functional streptococcal PTSAg raises important questions relating to the evolution of the streptococcal superantigens.

TCR-induced transmembrane signaling by peptide/MHC class II via associated Ig-alpha/beta dimers.

Previous findings suggest that during cognate T cell-B cell interactions, major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II molecules transduce signals, leading to Src-family kinase activation, Ca2+ mobilization, and proliferation. Here, we show that antigen stimulation of resting B cells induces MHC class II molecules to associate with Immunoglobulin (Ig)-alpha/Ig-beta (CD79a/CD79b) heterodimers, which function as signal transducers upon MHC class II aggregation by the T cell receptor (TCR). The B cell receptor (BCR) and MHC class II/Ig-alpha/Ig-beta are distinct complexes, yet class II-associated Ig-alpha/beta appears to be derived from BCR. Hence, Ig-alpha/beta are used in a sequential fashion for transduction of antigen and cognate T cell help signals.

The RasGAP-binding protein p62dok is a mediator of inhibitory FcgammaRIIB signals in B cells.

The low affinity receptor for IgG, FcgammaRIIB, functions to dampen the antibody response and reduce the risk of autoimmunity. This function is reportedly mediated in part by inhibition of B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-mediated p21ras activation, though the basis of this inhibition is unknown. We show here that FcgammaRIIB-BCR coaggregation leads to increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the RasGAP-binding protein p62dok, with a concomitant increase in its binding to RasGAP. These effects require the recruitment and tyrosine phosphorylation of the phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphatase SHIP, which further recruits p62dok via the latter's phosphotyrosine-binding domain. Using chimeric FcgammaRIIB containing the RasGAP-binding domain of p62dok, we demonstrate that p62dok contains all structural information required to mediate the inhibitory effect of FcgammaRIIB on Erk activation.